Pictured above: Satchels Court
A development of new homes in Rugby has "bagged" a major
national accolade.
Satchels Court, a scheme of 18 new homes in a conservation area
on Dunchurch Road, has been given a Building For Life silver
standard award.
The development, which includes 12 apartments and six
three-bedroom houses, was created by Coventry homebuilder Benfield
Homes in 2008 and 2009 to designs by Rugby based HB Architects and
is now full occupied. The development was nominated by Rugby
Borough Council.
Building for Life is a national standard for well designed homes
and neighbourhoods and rates new developments on a range of
criteria including everything from design and construction to
character.
The standard is run by the Commission for Architecture and the
Built Environment (CABE) and the Home Builders Federation, who
marked the development particularly highly on its character.
Clive Benfield, the chairman of Benfield Homes, said it was
testament to the quality of the company's work that it had been
granted the award.
He said: "Our ethos has always been to create homes that are
individually very high in quality and also collectively have a
positive impact on the local environment.
"Satchels Court has proved popular with buyers because of the
high standard of design, finish and location - this award is
further proof of that.
"It can sometimes be difficult to create character from scratch
- but the assessors clearly feel we have done that here at Satchels
Court.
"CABE and the Home Builders Federation are two extremely
well-respected organisations so to receive this seal of approval
from them is testament to our work."
Benfield Homes has established a strong reputation in the Rugby
area over the years, creating a series of new developments - each
if which has been fully occupied.
The company is currently creating a development of new
apartments called Havelock Gardens in Thurmaston, Leicestershire,
where 42 new homes are being built.
Clive added: "The market has been tough over the past two years
and it would have been easy to compromise our values and
principles.
"But we have maintained our commitment to strive for the highest
of quality and that has stood us in good stead on our latest
development in Thurmaston.
"The key to making a scheme like that a success is being
creative with the kind of deals you introduce for buyers. At
Havelock Gardens, we are currently offering to match a buyer's
deposit to assist them with getting a mortgage.
"There are some good mortgage deals out there but many are
reliant on a strong deposit so this offer makes perfect sense in
the current market."